Tigers Trek to Tampa for Final Non-Conference Tournament

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March 16, 2017 USF Tournament



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Weekend Schedule

Fri, March 10. 6 p.m.
Sat, March 11. 7:30 p.m.
Sun, March 12. 4 p.m.

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AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 4/5 Auburn softball team is set to wrap up non-conference tournament play March 17-19 when it travels to Tampa, Fla. for a five-game weekend, hosted by USF.

Radio coverage from the Auburn Sports Network is also available on 95.9 FM in the Auburn/Opelika area. The radio feed is also available on AuburnTigers.com, the TuneIn Radio app and the official Auburn Athletics app with Brit Bowen on the call. The games will not be televised.

The Tigers (22-3) are slated to open the weekend Friday against North Dakota State and USF. First pitch times are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. CT, respectively, and will take place at the USF Softball Stadium.

Auburn will then take on a pair of opponents from the Big Ten in Illinois and Ohio State. Both games will take place on Field No. 9 of the EC Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Fla. at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. CT, respectively.

The Tigers put a bow on the tournament when they take on LIU Brooklyn for an 8 a.m. CT showdown on Field No. 8 of the EC Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

Following the five-game weekend, Auburn dips back into SEC play for a three-game set at No. 2/1 Florida, March 25-27.

Player to Watch: Kasey Cooper

Senior infielder Kasey Cooper has been a huge key to Auburn's 22 victories this season. In those 22 contests, Cooper holds a slash line of .327/.519/.618 with 18 hits, including four doubles and four home runs. The Dothan, Ala. boasts a team-best 12 RBI in the last 10 games and has reached base at a .543 clip with 11 walks and one hit by pitch.

Inside the Series: NDSU

Auburn and North Dakota State have faced off three times in series history with the Tigers taking two of them. Auburn won the last meeting on May 17, 2014 in the NCAA Regional when Kasey Cooper singled home Tiffany Howard in the top of the seventh to secure the 1-0 victory.

Inside the Series: USF

Auburn holds a 6-3 advantage in the series over USF and has won the last five duels, including three with head coach Clint Myers at the helm. The Tigers are 4-2 against the Bulls all-time in the state of Florida. In the last matchup on Feb. 19, 2016, Makayla Martin tossed a complete-game shutout, while Kasey Cooper, Victoria Draper, Madi Gipson and Jade Rhodes drilled doubles in the 6-0 win.

Inside the Series: Illinois

Auburn will meet Illinois for the first time in program history.

Inside the Series: Ohio State

Auburn and Ohio State have squared off four times in series history with both teams taking two results. The Tigers won the last matchup 14-2 in five innings Feb. 27, 2015. In that tilt, Kasey Cooper, Haley Fagan, Anna Gibbs, Jade Rhodes and Carlee Wallace went yard.

Inside the Series: LIU Brooklyn

Auburn will meet LIU Brooklyn for the first in program history.